| Compared with the rest of ASEAN, Indonesia is declared to be the most potential in mineral deposits. Geologically, Indonesia archipelago is in the ring of fire and is located in active plate tectonics slab of Indo-Australia, Eurasia and Pacific. This provides great impact on the mineral occurrence in Indonesia’s soil and seas. The Indonesian government fully recognizes the importance of the country's mineral wealth and the mining industry could enhance the national economy. With the great development of marine mineral mining nowadays, Indonesia needs to consider creating a comprehensive policy or legislative regime to manage the development of offshore minerals within its territorial waters and EEZ. However, before introducing the new law regulating offshore mining, political issues relating to the natural sources and management raised as the result of decentralization need to be addressed. It is very important to be firstly resolved in order to attain proper use and management of natural resources for the benefit of the people of Indonesia as a whole, equitable for the population, and sustainable for future generations. |